The District of Houston council has committed itself to using just over $1 million from the District’s accumulated surplus to build a pathway connecting the Mountainview Drive area with the downtown core.
That would be its share of project financing and based on receiving a provincial grant of $500,000 for a total estimated cost of $1,516,700.
The estimated cost does include a contingency of 20 per cent and would need to be refined once concept drawings prepared by District consultants Urban Systems are turned into detailed plans for construction.
In presenting the grant proposal for council approval Oct. 16, District chief administrative officer Michael Dewar called the pathway concept “transformative”.
It would add to the “pedestrian friendliness of the community, especially looking at connecting the upper portion of the community with the downtown in many of the services and, additionally, it’s one that will potentially lessen some of the less desirable activities that we find happening around Jamie Baxter Park every now and then,” he said.
The pathway itself is part of a multi-million plan to transform and modernize Jamie Baxter Park over three phases.
In its entirety, three phases would cost an estimated $7.5 million and the trail specifically is now included in the District’s strategic development plan.
Dewar also told council there are additional grant programs to reduce the District’s financial commitment if requests were successful.
The pathway plan calls for it to be lit, a key factor in emphasizing an improvement for accessibility and safety for those who would use it.
“The path will also be a critical element that will help define how people move through Jamie Baxter Park ad create a renewed interest in moving through the park on a daily and recreational basis,” indicated a briefing memo presented to council.
Just last year the prospect of lighting arose following several assaults in the park area.
The District application for $500,000 is being made to the B.C. government’s Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant Program.